Muscles that rival Nadal! Maria Sharapova shows off her washboard abs in tiny sports bra
By Jessica Satherley
Last updated at 12:47 PM on 10th June 2011
She’s a former world No. 1 in her sport but Maria Sharapova proved in her new Nike campaign that she’s not bad at modelling either.
The Russian tennis player showed off her rock hard abs and bulging biceps while she was being photographed by Annie Leibovitz.
The stunning 24-year-old, who is also an American citizen, posed in tiny blue hot pants and a white sports bra while holding an abdominal crunch position.
Abs of steel: Maria Sharapova models in the new Nike 'Make Yourself' campaign, which was shot by photographer Annie Leibobitz
And by the looks of her stomach, she is no stranger to intense workouts that focus on her abs.
In the other photograph for the Nike ‘Make Yourself’ campaign , Sharapova poses alongside a bevvy of fellow beautiful female sports stars.
Fellow tennis player Li Na joins Sharapova, alongside runners Allyson Felix and Perri Shakes-Drayton, football player Hope Solo, dancer Sofia Boutella and surfer Laura Enever in the group portrait.
In the group photograph the star models Nike jogging bottoms and a loose grey T-shirt.
Female sports stars: Tennis player Li Na joins Sharapova, alongside runners Allyson Felix and Perri Shakes-Drayton, football player Hope Solo, dancer Sofia Boutella and surfer Laura Enever in the group portrait
The advertisements will appear in upcoming issues of Seventeen, InStyle and Glamour magazines.
But Nike have kept tight-lipped over how much they paid for the campaign.
Meanwhile, Sharapova is going to play her next tournament at Wimbledon 2011.
The world No. 6 ranked player lost the Grand Slam title at the French Open, where she was beaten in the semi finals by Na Li of China last week.
On the court: Sharapova hits a backhand during the women's singles semi final at the French Open against Na Li of China
But she’s ready to bring her A-game back to London, where she won the Wimbledon title in 2004 at 17-years-old.
She will be joined by tennis super star Serena Williams at this year’s Wimbledon, giving Sharapova some tough competition in the women’s category.
And off the court, Sharapova has had a successful private life too and is engaged to NBA basketball player Sasha Vujacic.
Sharapova is also no stranger to the world of modelling on the side of her sporting career and has appeared in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in the past, among other magazine shoots.
Off the court: Sharapova looking glamorous at the annual pre-Wimbledon party last year held at the Roof Gardens in West London
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